System for protection against fire.



Patented Mar. Si

E. B. HELM. SYSTEM FOR PBOTEGTJLON AGAmsT PIRE. APPLIUATION FILED AUG. 1l, 1908.

@Q zo um.. f v/ d.

H. E. HELM.

SYSTEM POB. PROTECTION AGANST FIRE.

. .U m a APPLIOATION FILED AUG.11,1908.\ T

famme@ Mar. 9, 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

H. B. HELM.- SYSTEM IOR PROTEGTION AGAINST FIRE.

Patented Mar. 9, w09.

3 SHEETS-SHEBT 3.

APPLICATION I'ILD AUG. l1, 1908.

HENRY B. HELM, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

SYSTEM FCR PROTECTION AGAINST FIRE.

Specieaton of Letters Patent.

Patented March 9, 1909.

Application filed August 11, 1908. Serial No. 447,928.

To all 'whomv 'it may concern.:

Be it known that l, HENRY B. HELM, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of New York, county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful lmprovements in Systems for .Protection Against Fire, of which the following is a full, clear, and complete disclosure. `V

The object of my invention is to produce a system comprising a series of devices to be located throughout the floors and rooms of buildings, such devices being o erated by heat or ilame arising from combustion, or other abnormal increase in temperature, so that a water distributing or extinguishing` system may be automatically putinto operation'or so that a fire alarm, indicator, or similar devices may be operated to givevnotice of the place and the existence of a fire,

'arrangement of conduits or pipes with?- My invention resides in a system that is preferably non-electrical, and, broadly stated, comprising a series of Wires in which fusible links are placed, said 4wires being strung on pulleys or other suitable supports about thel ceilings and other parts of theA iioors and rooms of a building or other structure. The wires in which the fusible links are laced are kept under tension, preferably ly means of a weight, so that in the event of any of the links becoming separated, the weight will fall, thereby operatuig valves, alarms.4 or indicators, which are operatively connected with said wires, so as to either extinguish, or indicate the locality and existence of the lire.

My invention also resides in a system of their controlling valves, in connection with a system of taut wires, by which the water supplied to the lire is confined to the place at which the lire exists, in sufficient quantities to immediately extinguish the iire, without doing damage to the other parts of the building or its contents.

A particular feature of this part of my invention resides in the means whereby the' supply of Water to the extinguishing apparatus is always under control of persons in other parts of the building from that 4in which the lire is burning.

Further features and advantages of my invention will be hereinafter described and claimed inthe following spi'iciiication, to which reference may be had for embodiments of my invention and lforms which l at present deem' preferable.

Referring to the accompanying drawings forming a part of saidspeciiication, ,Figure `1 is a diagrammatic view of one form of my invention applied to the operation of an indicator, 'an alarm bell, 'and similar devices; Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view showing my invention as applied to a lire extinguishing system using water, and also shows an arrangement of valves whereby said extinguishing system is controlled; Fig. 3 is a view showing on a larger scale the parts indicated in Fig. l, for communicating motion in the local wires or circuits to the indicator, alarm, or extinguishing devices Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line A-A Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a View showing a modification of my invention as applied to another form of water extinguishing system Fig. 6 is a detailed pers ective of a device for connecting the lociv wires with the wires running to the indicating or alarm devices shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 7 is a View in elevation showing the means for operating or causing the actuating weights to fall, so that the indicators, valves, alarms `or similar devices may be positively put into action.

Referring to Fig. 'l of the drawings, the numeral 1 indicates the floors of the building; the numeral .2 indicates the local wires extending to the different floors ofthe building, and these wires include the fusible links 3, which are so located in the wires as to ei'l'ectivel cover the entire area er space in a particu ar room"or part of a bidding.

known form of such 'devices to be found upon the market, and are preferably so constructed as to be operated when the heat in the locality in which the particular link is situated rises above one hundred and sixty degrees Fahrenheit. It is obvious that the horizontal portion of these wires may be placed at an convenient point, such as upon the cei ing, walls, ,or other parts of rooms, where theywill be protected from contact with foreign bodies, or from being otherwise disturbed. As shownin Fig. l, the wi rcs .2 are made endless, and are carried upon suitable pulleys or Wheels 4, preferably provided with ball or other anti-friction bearings. The vertical portion of these wires 2, or the por tion extending to that part ol' the building` where the apparatus to be operated is ii cated, passes above ,groove pulleys or wheels 5, from which arc suspendedweights (j for v Thesefusible links 3 may consist of any Well slack may be taken up or any shortening of,

' arrangement'for inspectin and testing the openings are colored disks or tablets 23 at- 21, provided with holes 22 'orming sight exist, and it vshould be noted that lthis can be the purpose of keeping the Wires tau t, so that they will separate the parts of the l'usible links when the temperature rises to a sulicientl point. The Wires 2 are preferably provided with suitable turnbuckles 7 or similar adjusting devices, to allow of adjustment in the length of the wires, so that any the wires compensated for.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, the numeral 8 indicates a wire or similar ilexible connection adapted to coperate with the wiresl or similar connections extending to the alarm, indicator or other device. The wire 8 passes through a hole 9 in a yoke or strap 10 (shown in detailin Fig` 6) and terminates, in a stop or weight 11. The wires 2 pass? through holes 12 in the horizontal ears 13 of the stra 10. The upper end of the strap 10 is provi ed with a hoo 14 adapted to engage a' horizontal cord or Wire 15. The wires 2 are also provided with adjustable stops 16, which, when the apparatus is set and not in operation, are located at a point slightly above the ears 13, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 1t will now be seen that should any one of the fusible links 3 in the wires 2 becomeA separated by the heat, the weight 5 will cause the stops' 16 to be carried down with the wires 2 until they come in contact with the ears 13, thereupon thestrap 1() will be drawn downward, thereby causing the wire 15 to be pulled laterally, so that its effective length is shortened. This shortening of the wire 15 is utilized to operate certain devices hereinafter to be more fully pointed out.

ln connection with the wires 2 lprovide an same, which may be utilize without disturbing the equilibrium of the system.n For that purpose l connect a branch 17 with the wires 2, passing one or two turns ol the saine about a wheel or pulley 13. vThe wheel 18 is rigidly attached to a shaft 19, which carries at its outer end a bar or handle 20. The shaft 19 is mounted on suitable bearin s in a casing openings, .and cooperating with these sight tachcd to the wires 2. By virtue of this arrangement, should either run or side of the wire 2 become elongated, or otherwise displaced, one ol the disks or tablets -23 will appear behind the sight openings 22, thus indicating that there has been a change in the conditions existin f in the wires 2. Now, when it is desired to lrnow whether or not the pulleys may freely rotate on their bearings, and to know whether-there is any obstruction to the free ,running of the wires 2, the handle 20 may be turned, thereby causing the whole length of the corresponding wire 2 to move in one direction, or the other along its entire length ii' no obstruction or hindrance should or by any other suitable means, so t done without in any way disturbing the equilibrium ofthe system.

Coming now to the connections between the local wires 2 and the means for operating the indicators or alarms, as shown in Fig. 1, it will be seen that thewires 8 extend upward and terminate in loops 24, which pull the wires 25, extending to the indicator or annunciator 26. This annunciator may .be constructed in `any well known Way, so that should any of the cords 25 be pulled, a corresponding disk or number will show atthe annunciator.v `The cords 25 are preferably xed at one end as vindicated at 27, 'and the other ends of the cords are provided 4with coiled springs 23, which tend to keep the wires 25 taut. It will now be seen that should any one of the wires- 25 be pulled downward, as before described, the corresponding wire 15 will vbe pulled laterally, thereby sliertening its elective length and so operating one of the indicators in the annunciator v26.

Where more power is required to operate the signaling or alarm device, I provide means as shown iii-Figs. 1 and 7. In this instance the wire 15, which passes beneath' the hooks 14, is connected with a retractable part or pin 30 adapted to pass through av i surrounds the wire 15 and abuts against a fixed stop 35 so as .to keep the said wire under tenionat all times. To the I,link 32 or connecting parts are attached a plurality of cords or wires 36 and 37, and these ma pass to 'any corresponding number of signa lng, alarm, or other devices to be operated by them during the action of the system.- l have shown the Wire 36 attached to a niechanically-operated bell 38, which is preferably rung by means of a weight 39, which may be wound up and set so .that when 'the wire 36 is pulledv the weight will be released, thereby causing the bell to ring. l have also shown thewirc 36 connected with a switch 40, which is adapted -to closevthe circuit to an electric lamp 41, which, when ligl'ited, will display a red light. The wire 37 Iis shown as passing to a local lire alarm box 42,

and foi-,this purpose the W`ire 37 is provided with a loop 43, which passes over a lug 44 carried by a rotatable drinn 45. This drum 45 may be operated by a coileds )ring 46, liat when the loop 43 is puned oil the lug 44 said lug will move toward the l'cl't, as shown in the drawings, and allow the hook in alarm box (which has been pulled down by wcight'33 falling and pulling Wire 37) to go up to its original position andso send in the alarm.

. bodiment of my improved system as applied- 1 transmittingl motion.

obvious that I do not intend to be limited i to metallic Wires alone, for any device may e used for communicating motion between the parts, whether they be llexible cords, chains, .or similar Well known devices for However, I prefer in `general to use phosphor bronze Wire, which not only is very strong and sustains a comparatively large Weight for a given cross section, but which is also less liable to be affected by corrosive Igases, heat, moisture,

and other unavoidable conditions. It necessary, Where turns are very short, it will be understood that flexible metallic cord may be used in the place of solid xvire. y

In the operation of the part of my device last above described, .it will now be seen that lwhen any of the parts of a fusible link 3 are separated, the do wnvvard motion of the straps 10 will cause the ellective length of the Wires 15 to be shortened, thereby drawim,` the pin 30 out of' the loop 31, so that the link 32 and its attached weight 33 may drop. The droppingl of the Weight 33 pulls'upon the Wires 36 and 37, thereby operating the mechanical alarm '39, the red light 41 and the lire alarm box 42.

The above description illustrates the emto signaling' and alarm devices, but the system is especially adapted to include apparatus for extinguishimgr lires. I Q

Referring now to Fig. 2, the numeral 50 indicates a standpipe Awhich passes each iloor of the building in the usual manner, and is adapted to be supplied through Water mains in the street or a reservoir; on the root' of the building, or by pumps located at cona f) vement points in lthe building, or elsewhere.

The standpi pe 50 has a main branch pipe on each licor, as indicated at 51, and the pipe' 51 may be branched to have conduits, such as 52, located in different rooms or parts` of the same licor. The local pipes 52 may be provided with the usual sprays or sprinklers,

ete., but I preferably provide these `pipes 'with rotary Water jets 53, which throw a greater volume of water over a considerable range,'and more effectively than a sprayer sprinkler. Virhen suoli a rotary jet is used, one Water outlet may be vprovided for a space amounting to about 2500 square feet of loor area.

and which may be opened and closed by the vertical movement of a stem 55 connected with' a lever 56; which may be -operated either by' hand 'or/by van overbala'ncmg` Weight, such as 57. These valves may be adjusted to bc opened by a certain number of pounds weight for a given water pressure within the pipes. 'lhe end ol the level' 56,' which carries the weight 57, is connected with a link 32 cooperatingr with a loop 31 and a pin 30, similar to those previously described, the pin 30 being operated by a cord` 58, which may be connected to the local fusible links in a manner like that already described in connection with the alarm and annuncia-tor devices, or may be operated by the means described as follows:

'lo the local or branch pipes 52 may be fastened suitable boxes or casings 59, which are adapted to contain the actuating devices for the local water controlling valves. Upon the pipe 52 is fastened. a suitable standard 60, having` projections or arms at suitable positions to carry the requisite pulleys or Wheels and othcr'parts. The wire 58 is attached as at 61 to the local or primary wire 62, having fusible vlinks 63, through the use of the branch wire 64, also connected to the pin operatingwire 65. One end of the local or primary Wire-62 is attached to a lever 66, which may be used to test the condition or free running' of the wire 62, uithout disturbing the, equilibrium of the system. The other endiof the Wire 62 carries the Weight 67, Which holds said wire under tension and causes thc links to separate when the heat about such links has reached a sufiicient temperature. The local pipe 52 is provided with a balanced valve 68 similar to the valve 54, and is operated by a lever 69 acted upon by the Weights 7() and 71. One end ol2 the level' 69 is connected with the link 7 2, adapted to engage the loop 73, and is retained in position thereon by means of the pin 74, which is attached to the pin operating cord 65. One end of the cord 65 terminates in a ring or-loop 75 ada )ted to engage a hook 76, This L.ring and hooi( may be located at the floor below, so that the valves may be operated without passing to the floor on which the lire eigists, and I may provide a branch Wire 77, which may extend to the main floor, so that the valves may be operated from that point. The numeral 78 indicates a drip pipe, which may carry away any Water that may leak through the valve 68. One or more Wires 79, terminating' in rings 80, adapted to engage hooks 81, may be connected with the lever 56 for operating the main valve 54, so that this valve may be controlled from the floor below, or from any other suitable point. It is obvious'that the usual globe valves 82 and 83 may be inserted so as to entirely shut oil' the water supply both from the standpipe and from each iloor, when desired.

The o eration of my extinguishing system is as fol ows: Supposingjr the parts of one of the links 63 to be separated by the presence guished.

of lire, the weight 67 will drop, pulling the wires 6A and 58, thereby d isengaging the pin 30 from the loop 3l. 'lhe falling of the weight 67 also pulls upon the cord 65, through the connecting cord 64, to disengage the pin 74 from the loop 73, allowing' the link 72 to release the Weight 7 i, so that the valve 68 is also opened. Both of these valves being opened, the water is then supplied to the distributers or rotary jet devices 53. It will also be seen that these valves may be operated rby pulling down on the cord 65 and .hooking the ring over the hook 76, and in a similar manner by pulling down on the cord 77, the end of which may be located in the basement. Should it be desired to shut ofi' the water from the pipe 51, and, consequently, the pipe 52, one of the rings 80 may be laced over its corres )ending hook 81, Whic will thereby raise the weight 57, allowing the Valve 54 to be closed. This will obviate the ilooding of the building after the lire at a` articular point has been extin- I lave at several points indicated s rings to be used as buliers or for holding t e Wires under tension, but I do not believe it necessary to refer to these specifically, as their functions will be obvious.

In Fig. 5 I have shown my improved system as modified to operate a sprinkler or distributor controlled by an ordinary plug cock or swivel screw Valve. in this instance the fusible link 86 is connected to a iixed point, such as the pipe 87, while the other end is connected to the pin SS passing.,r through the loop 89, and retains the ringr 89 in position. This ring is connected with the end of a lever 91, which is operated by means of a weight 92 to open the valve Q3 and admit water t0 the distributorl 94.

Having thusdescribed these forms of my invention, l do not wish to be understood as being' limited to the exact lctails of form and arrangement of parts herein set forth, for Various changes may be made therein by any one skilled in the art without departing from the s )irit and scope ol my invention.

W iat I claim and desire te protect by Letters Patent is:

l. in a lire protective system, a primary endless wire, fusible links therein, an antifriction devicel carried by a loop in said wire, tension means connected with. said anti-friction device, and apparatus connected with said wire and operated byl said tension means.

2. In a lire protective system, a device forv operating protective apparatus, comprising a 'lixed inclined support, a rcleasable device connected with the apparatus to be operated, and adapted'to rest upon and slide/longitudinally of said inclined support, and to sustain the weight of parts of said apparatus, and a retractable part adapted to engage and be held in position by said support and adapted to hold said releasa-ble device in normal position thereon, the inclination of said su )port being such as to permit said releasab e device to slide therefrom upon the withdrawal of said retractable part.

3. In a lire protective system, a primary wire, fusible links therein, means for keeping said wire under tension, a pin connected with said wire, a 'li'xed inclined eye, a link adapted to rest on said loop and be retained thereon by said pin, and apparatus connected with said link and operated by the disengagement of said link with said eye the Aforce of the actuating parts of said apparatus being?r sustained by said .lixed eye.

4. ln a lire protective system, a wire freely movable longitudinally, fusible links connected with said wire,mcans for manually moving said wire longitudinally for testin the same, branch wires connected with sai movable wire and devices connected withsaid branch wires and adapted to be operated by an abnormal movement of said movable wire caused bythe fusing of said links.

5, In a lire protective system, a primary looped wire, tension means for said wire, fusible links therein, stops carried by the sides of said loo i, a part through which said loop passes andI carrying a hook, a second wire, means for holding said second wire taut, said hook engaging said second wire and operated by said stops, and apparatus connected with said second wire and operated thereby.

6. In a testingT device i'or a Vlire protective system, a primary endless wire, devices therein meclnrnically operated by the presence of heat, a pulley or drum about which said wire passes, and .means for manually turning?r the latter to move said wire in the direction of its length.

7. in a lire protective system, a wire, devices therein mechanically operated by the presence of heat, indicating tablet linedto said wire, and a stationary part with which said indicating,r tablet 'is adapted to register to indicate thc position of the wire.

8. In a lire protective system, a primary endless wire, fusible links therein, an antifriction device carried by a loop in said wire, tension. means connected with said antifrietion device, a strap through which the sides of said loop pass, stops on said loop adapted to engage saidl strap, secondary wires engaging said straps and apparatus connected with said secondary wires and. operated lby said tension means.

9. In arlire protective system, local wires extendingl through the space to be protected, fusible links in said wires, means for keeping said wires under tension, but allowing longitudinal movement 4asa whole, branch wires connected with saidlocal wires, devices adapted to be operated by said branchwires,

lixed inclined supports),v releasable devices resting on said fixed supports, retractable means for parts adapted to engage saidiixed supports closed and hold said removable devices in position thereon, said removable devices and retractable parts being interposed in said branch wires.

10. In a iire protective system, a local wire extending through the space to be protected, fusible linksin said wire, means, for keeping said wire under tension, and at the saine time allowing longitudinal movement as a whole, a branch wire connected with said local Wire, a ixed inclined support, v a valve adapted to be o erated by said branch wire,' a releasable evice resting on said fixed support, a retractable part adapted to engage said iXed support and hold said removable device in position thereon', said removable device ,andA retractable part being interposed in said branch Wire.

11.In. a fire protective system, local wires extending through different 'floors of a building, fusib e links in said'wires, means for keeping said wires under tension, but al# lowing longitudinal movement as a whole, branch wires connected with said local Wires, distributing pipes, balanced valves in said branch distributing pipes, Wires connected with said valves,`

keeping said valves in their positions, 'liXed inclined sipports, removable devicesv resting on sai fixed supports, retractable parts adapted to engage said fixed supports and hold said removable devices in position thereon, said removable devices and retractable parts being interposed in said branch Wiresa and adapted to interrupt the continuity of said wires to operate said valves.

l2. In a ire protective system, main and pipes, main and local valves in said pipes, local or primary Wires operativelyA connected with said local valves, fusible links in said wires, secondary wires connecting said primary wires with the main valves, means for operating said main valves, by a movement of said secondary Wires, and means for resetting said main valves at points distant therefrom.

Signed this th' day of July, 1908, at

New York city, countyvand State of New York. p

HENRY B. HELM. Witnesses:

JAMEs J. CosGnovE, O. M. PENNINGTON. 

